The U.S. Senate voted today to end debate on H.R. 8404, the so-called “Respect for Marriage Act.” The cloture motion, which needed the support of 60 senators, passed by a vote of 62 to 37. The Senate leadership will now decide when the act will come up for a final vote. After reaching the threshold of 60 votes to end debate, the bill seems certain to pass. It only needs a majority of 51 to do so.

And it is a real bad bill. Worse than you realize, probably.

Known as the “Respect for Marriage Act” (H.R. 8404), the bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 19 with 267 voting in favor and 157 opposing passage. The bill shifts the power to define marriage to the federal government and require all states to recognize same-sex “marriages.” The bill also would replace previously adopted language that for purposes of federal law defines marriage as “between a man and a woman” and spouse as “a person of the opposite sex.”

A vote on the bill was expected in September, but advocates of a biblical view of marriage expressed concern about the bill, particularly related to religious liberty.

“The deceptively named bill enshrines same-sex ‘marriage’ into federal law and jeopardizes the religious freedom of millions of Americans who follow the biblical definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman,” said a statement issued in August by the Alliance Defending Freedom Church Alliance.

Not only is this language light-years more radical than the justices’ ruling seven years ago—cracking down on parents, charities, adoption agencies, teachers, Christian schools, counselors, and Bible-believing professionals—the government would be declaring open season on anyone who believes in marriage as it’s always been: the union of a man and woman.

HR 8404 is a stick of dynamite that, in the hands of the Left, will supercharge the attacks, the marginalization, and the oppression of people of faith and anyone who believes in marriage as the Bible and human history define it.

HR 8404 will not only federalize same-sex marriage, but it also will force states to recognize the worst marriage laws of other states (like child bride marriage), will open the door to polygamy, and much more. It weaponizes federal agencies, with serious implications for SDA schools.

Where is the SDA Religious liberty department? Anywhere? Hello?

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“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24: 12-13).